Internal combustion engine and operating cycle

• US RE30,565 E
• Filed: 03/26/1979
• Issued: 04/07/1981
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/1979
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kristiansen Cycle Engines Limited
• Original Assignee: Kristiansen Cycle Engines Limited
• Inventors: Kristiansen, Haaken H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Koczo, Jr., Michael
• Application Number:
  US06/023,764
• Time in Patent Office: 743 Days
• Field of Search: 123/43 A, 123/43 AA, 123/58 A, 123/58 AA, 123/58 AM, 123/58 B, 123/90.15
• US Class Current: 123/43.0AA
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 3/0035 having two or more sets of cylinders or pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F01B 3/04 the piston motion being transmitted by curved surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 41/04 in main cylinders
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 57/00 Internal-combustion aspects of rotary engines in which the combusted gases displace one or more reciprocating pistons
• CPC Class Codes: F02B 75/26 Engines with cylinder axes coaxial with, or parallel or inclined to, main-shaft axis; Engines with cylinder axes arranged substantially tangentially to a circle centred on main-shaft axis

Abstract

A .[.pair of.]. cylindrical .[.rotors are.]. .Iadd.rotor is .Iaddend.mounted for rotation within a stator and .[.each rotor including.]. .Iadd.the rotor includes .Iaddend.a plurality of cylindrical bores annularly around the axis thereof and parallel to the stator bore. Pistons reciprocate within these bores and connecting rods or links of the pistons engage within the profile of a .[.pair of annular cams.]. .Iadd.an annular cam .Iaddend.secured to the stator .[.at opposite ends thereof.]. so that as the .[.rotors rotate,.]. .Iadd.rotor rotates, .Iaddend.the pistons reciprocate due to the cam profile. By providing a set of pistons and cylinders, on each side of a central common cylinder head at each end, a pair of rotors and a pair of cams one at each end of the stator, balance is achieved. A common combustion chamber is provided in the cylinder head for the pistons on the opposite sides of the cylinder head. The cycle can be of a diesel type with a fuel injection or of the gasoline/air mixture type with conventional spark plugs. Of importance, is the ease with which the expansion ratio can be made greater than the compression ratio thus utilizing more of the energy normally expelled and wasted in exhaust gases with the conventional cycles. Furthermore, timing is easily adjusted by rotating the cams and the compression ratio can be varied by moving the two cams further apart or closer together.

Claims

1. An internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a hollow cylindrical stator including bearing plates located at each end thereof and a common cylinder head located intermediate the ends thereof to thereby define a first and second cylindrical chambers therein;

ignition means located in said cylinder head;

fuel and air inlet means and exhaust means located in said common cylinder head;

first and second rotor members respectively disposed within said first and second stator chambers;

means for journalling said rotors for rotation within the respective stator chambers;

a cam ring for each said rotor mounted at one end of each of said stator chambers;

said rotor means each comprising means defining a plurality of cylindrical bores having the axes thereof parallel to the axis of that rotor and disposed annularly around the axis of that rotor;

a piston disposed for reciprocal motion in each of said bores of each of said rotors;

means for operatively connecting said pistons of each rotor to the profile of the respective cam ring such that rotation of said rotors causes rotation of said connecting means around said cam ring profile to thereby control the reciprocal motion of said pistons within said bores; and

a common combustion chamber formed in said common cylinder head so as to .Iadd.be .Iaddend.brought into operative axial alignment with successive ones of the bores in both of said rotors during the rotation of said rotors, said common combustion chamber extending through said cylinder head with the axis thereof parallel to the axes of said rotors to provide direct permanent communication from one side thereof to the other and communicating with opposing bores of said rotors when brought to axial alignment therewith so as to provide simultaneous, common combustion between the pistons of said opposing bores, said common combustion chamber being operatively connected to said ignition means and being of such radial extent as to at least intermittently overlap two adjacent bores during rotation of said rotor thereby providing continuous combustion said air inlet means and said exhaust means being sequentially and operatively connected to said opposing bores from said common cylinder head.

2. The engine according to claim 1 in which the engagement of said means connecting said pistons with the profile of said cam rings provides, in 360°

of travel of said rotor, an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke for each of said pistons.

3. The engine according to claim 2 in which said cam profile is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof.

4. The engine according to claim 1 in which said cam profile is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof.

5. The engine according to claim 1 further comprising means to rotate said cam rings, within limits, relative to said stator thereby advancing or retarding top dead center of said pistons relative to said ignition means.

6. An internal combustion engine;

comprising, in combination, a hollow cylindrical stator including bearing plates located at each end thereof and a common cylinder head located intermediate the ends thereof to thereby define a first and second cylindrical chambers therein, ignition means located in said cylinder head, fuel and air inlet means and exhaust means located in said common cylinder head, first and second cylindrical rotors respectively disposed within said first and second stator chambers, means for journalling said rotors for rotation within the respective stator chambers, a cam ring for each said rotor mounted at one end of each of said stator chambers, a plurality of cylindrical bores formed in each said rotor with axes thereof parallel to the axis of that rotor and disposed annularly around the axis of the rotor, a piston disposed for reciprocal motion in each of said bores of each of said rotors, and means for operatively connecting said pistons of each rotor to the profile of the respective cam ring whereby rotation of said rotors causes rotation of said connecting means around said cam ring profile to thereby control the reciprocal motion of said piston within said bores, and a common combustion chamber formed in said common cylinder head so as to be brought into operative axial alignment with successive ones of the bores in each of said rotors during the rotation of said rotors, said common combustion chamber extending axially through said cylinder head to provide direct, permanent connection from one side to the other and communicating with opposing bores of said rotors when brought to axial alignment therewith so to provide simultaneous, common combustion between the pistons of said opposing bores and being operatively connected to said ignition means said air inlet means and said exhaust means being sequentially and operatively connected to said opposing bores from said common cylinder head.

7. The engine according to claim 6 in which said means connecting said pistons to said profile of said cam ring includes connecting rod means connected by one end thereof to said piston, and means for connecting the other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile, said means for connecting said other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile including said cam ring, said cam ring being of U-shaped cross section and including a base portion and a pair of spaced and parallel leg portions extending at right angles from said base portion, annular channels being formed on the inner surfaces of said leg portions, the side walls of said channels comprising bearing surfaces, first roller means being secured upon each side of said other end, and engaging one of said side walls, second roller means rolling in said annular channel and engaging the other of said side walls whereby said first and second roller means retain said other end of said connecting rod means in rolling engagement within said channels, said channels forming said cam ring profile.

8. The engine according to claim 6 in which said means connecting said pistons to said profile of said cam ring includes connecting rod means connected by one end thereof to said piston, and means for connecting the other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile, said means for connecting said other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile including said cam ring, said cam ring being of T-shaped cross section and including a web portion and a flange extending at right angles on each side of one edge of said web portion, a bifurcated end being formed on said other end of said connecting rod, first roller means being journalled within said bifurcated end and engaging the outer surface of said flanges, a pair of second roller means being journalled within said bifurcated end of said connecting rod spaced from said first roller means and engaging the inner surface of said flanges, one upon each side of said web portion.

9. The engine according to claim 6 in which said cam profile is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof.

10. The engine according to claim 6 in which the engagement of said means connecting said pistons with the profile of said cam rings provides, in 360°

of travel of said rotor, an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke for each of said pistons.

11. The engine according to claim 10 in which said cam profile is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof.

12. The engine according to claim 6 which includes means to control the timing of the strokes of said pistons within limits.

13. The engine according to claim 12 in which said means includes timing control means to rotate said cam rings, within limits, relative to said stator thereby advancing or retarding top dead center of said pistons relative to said ignition means. .Iadd. 14. An internal combustion engine comprising, in combination, a stator including bearing plates located at each end thereof and a common cylinder head to define a first and second cylindrical chamber, said common cylinder head circumferentially spanning at least a portion of said cylindrical chambers;

fuel and air inlet means located on said stator;

a shaft disposed within said first and second chambers;

means for journalling said shaft for rotation within said chambers;

a cam ring mounted at each end of said shaft and intermediate said bearing plates;

two rotor members, each of said rotor members having a plurality of cylindrical bores disposed annularly around said rotor members;

a piston disposed for reciprocal motion in each of said bores in each of said rotors;

means for operatively connecting said pistons of each rotor to the profile of a cam ring such that rotation of said rotors causes rotation of said connecting means around said cam ring profile to thereby control the reciprocal motion of said pistons within said bores; and

a common combustion chamber formed in said common cylinder head so as to be brought into operative axial alignment with successive ones of the bores in both of said rotors during the rotation of said rotors, said common combustion chamber extending through said cylinder head with the axis thereof parallel to the axes of said rotors to provide direct communication from one side thereof to the other and communicating with opposing bores of said rotors when brought to axial alignment therewith so as to provide common combustion between the pistons of said opposing bores, said common combustion chamber providing ignition by the intermittent overlapping of two adjacent bores during rotation of said rotor thereby providing continuous combustion said air inlet means and said exhaust means being sequentially and operatively connected to said opposing bores from said common cylinder head. .Iaddend..Iadd. 15. The engine according to claim 14 further comprising ignition means for initially or intermittently igniting said common combustion chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 16. The engine according to claim 15 further comprising means to rotate said cam rings, within limits, relative to said shaft member thereby advancing or retarding top dead center of said pistons relative to said ignition means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 17. The engine according to claim 15 in which the engagement of said means connecting said pistons with the profile of said cam rings provides, in 360°

of travel of said rotor, an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke for each of said pistons. .Iaddend..Iadd. 18. The engine according to claim 16 wherein cam profile is such that said expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are greater than 180°

of travel in said 360°

of travel and said intake and compression strokes are less than 180°

of travel in said 360°

of travel. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 19. An internal combustion engine comprising;

(a) a substantially cylindrical stator, said stator having bearing plates disposed at each end thereof;

(b) a drive shaft, said drive shaft being rotatably mounted in said bearing plates;

(c) a rotor mounted to said drive shaft, said rotor having a plurality of cylindrical bores wherein each of said bores includes a piston disposed therein for reciprocal motion;

(d) a cam ring, said cam ring disposed intermediate said bearing plates and adjustably secured with respect to said stator wherein said cam ring is adjustably secured by a gear mounted on said stator communicating with said cam ring to annularly rotate said cam ring;

(e) means for operatively connecting said pistons disposed in said rotor to the profile of said cam ring;

(f) fuel and air inlet means disposed on said stator, said fuel and air inlet means intermittently communicating with said cylindrical bores; and

(g) a common combustion chamber disposed intermediate said bearing plates wherein said common combustion chamber is of such an angular extent as to overlap two cylindrical bores of said rotor to provide continuous combustion by flame propagation resulting from the intermittent overlapping and the initiation of combustion in each of said plurality of cylindrical bores as said pistons and cylinders rotate past said common

14. combustion chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 20. The internal combustion engine of claim 19 further comprising an ignition means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 21. The internal combustion engine of claim 20 wherein said ignition means provides initial or intermittent combustion to said common combustion chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 22. The internal combustion engine of claim 19 further comprising exhaust means located on said stator. .Iaddend..Iadd. 23. The internal combustion engine of claim 19 wherein said cylindrical bores have their axes substantially parallel to the axis of said rotor and are disposed annularly around the axis of said rotor. .Iaddend..Iadd. 24. An internal combustion engine comprising:

(a) a substantially cylindrical stator, said stator having bearing plates disposed at each end thereof;

(b) a drive shaft, said drive shaft being rotatably mounted in said bearing plates;

(c) a rotor mounted to said drive shaft, said rotor having a plurality of cylindrical bores wherein each of said bores includes a piston disposed therein for reciprocal motion;

(d) a cam ring, said cam ring disposed intermediate said bearing plates and adjustably secured with respect to said stator wherein said cam ring is adjustably secured by a first gear mounted on said stator communicating with said cam ring to annularly rotate said cam ring;

(e) means for operatively connecting said pistons disposed in said rotor to the profile of said cam ring;

(f) a second cam ring, said second cam ring disposed intermediate said bearing plates and adjustably secured with respect to said stator by a second gear mounted on said stator communicating with said second cam ring to annularly rotate said second cam ring and wherein said plurality of cylindrical bores includes a plurality of second pistons disposed in each of said plurality of cylindrical bores in a confronting relationship to said first piston and includes means for operatively connecting said second pistons to the profile of said second cam ring;

(g) fuel and air inlet means disposed on said stator; and

(h) a common combustion chamber disposed intermediate said bearing plates wherein said common combustion chamber is of such an angular extent as to overlap two cylindrical bores of said rotor to provide continuous combustion by intermittently overlapping said cylindrical bores as said pistons and cylinders rotate past said common combustion. .Iaddend..Iadd. 25. The internal combustion engine of claim 24 wherein said common combustion chamber is disposed intermediate said first and second pistons and wherein said common combustion chamber is of such an angular extent as to provide combustion to said confronting pistons and provide continuous combustion to axially adjacent pistons as said pistons and cylindrical bores rotate past said common combustion chamber. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 26. The internal combustion engine of claim 24 further comprising a second rotor wherein said second rotor includes a plurality of cylindrical bores wherein each of said bores includes said plurality of second pistons disposed therein for reciprocal motion and wherein said second rotor is mounted to said drive shaft to provide a confronting disposition between said pistons in said first and said second rotor. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 27. The internal combustion engine of claim 26 wherein said common combustion chamber is disposed intermediate said first and second rotors and wherein said common combustion chamber is of such an angular extent as to provide combustion to said confronting pistons. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 28. An internal combustion engine comprising;

(a) a substantially cylindrical stator having bearing plates disposed at each end thereof;

(b) a drive shaft said drive shaft being rotatably mounted in said bearing plates.

(c) a rotor mounted to said drive shaft said rotor having a plurality of cylindrical bores wherein each of said bores includes a first piston and a second piston wherein said first and second piston are disposed in a confronting relationship;

(d) a first cam ring, said first cam ring disposed intermediate said bearing plates and adjustably secured with respect to said stator;

(e) a second cam ring said second cam ring disposed intermediate said bearing plates and adjustably secured with respect to said stator;

(f) a first means for operatively connecting said first piston disposed in said rotor to the profile of said first cam ring;

(g) a second means for operatively connecting said second piston disposed in said rotor to the profile of said second cam ring; and

(h) a common combustion chamber disposed in said stator intermediate said first and said second pistons and communicating means extending between said cylindrical bores and wherein said common combustion chamber is of such an angular extent as to overlap the distance between two cylindrical bores on one side of said rotor or the axial distance between two cylindrical bores on opposite sides of said rotor when said communicating means is of a diameter less than the diameter of said pistons so as to provide continuous combustion between said cylindrical bores as said pistons and cylindrical bores rotate past said common combustion chamber. .Iaddend..Iadd. 29. The internal combustion engine of claim 28 further comprising fuel and air inlet means and exhaust means disposed on said stator. .Iaddend..Iadd. 30. The internal combustion engine of claim 29 further comprising ignition means for initiating combustion. .Iaddend..Iadd. 31. The internal combustion engine of claim 30 wherein said ignition means provides intermittent combustion. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 32. An internal combustion engine comprising, in combination;

(a) a hollow cylindrical stator including bearing plates located at each end thereof and a common cylinder head located intermediate the ends thereof to thereby define first and second cylindrical chambers therein;

(b) ignition means located in said common cylinder head;

(c) fuel and air inlet means and exhaust means located on said common cylinder head;

(d) a rotor means disposed within said first and second stator chambers wherein said rotor means includes a plurality of cylindrical bores disposed annularly around the axis of said rotor;

(e) means for journalling said rotor means for rotation within the respective stator chambers;

(f) at least one piston disposed for reciprocal motion in each of said bores of said rotor means;

(g) at least one cam ring for said rotor means mounted intermediate said bearing plates;

(h) means for operatively connecting said pistons of said rotor means to the profile of said cam ring such that rotation of said rotor means causes rotation of said means for operatively connecting said pistons around said cam ring profile to thereby control the reciprocal motion of said pistons within said bores; and

(i) a common combustion chamber formed in said common cylinder head so as to be brought into operative axial alignment with successive ones of said bores of said rotor means during the rotation of said rotor means, said common combustion chamber extending through said common cylinder head with the axis thereof parallel to the axes of said rotor means to provide communication from one side thereof to the other and communicating with opposing bores of said rotor means which when brought to axial alignment therewith provides continuous ignition by a continuous flame propagation as said plurality of cylindrical bores rotate past said common combustion chamber, said fuel and air inlet means and said exhaust means being sequentially and operatively connected to said opposing bores from said common cylinder head. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 33. The internal combustion engine of claim 32 wherein said plurality of cylindrical bores have their axis parallel to the axis of said rotor means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 34. The internal combustion engine of claim 32 in which the engagement of said means connecting said pistons with the profile of said cam rings provides, in 360°

of travel of said rotor means, an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke for each of said pistons. .Iaddend..Iadd. 35. The internal combustion engine of claim 32 in which said profile of said cam ring is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 36. The internal combustion engine of claim 34 in which said profile of said cam ring is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 37. The internal combustion engine of claim 32 further comprising means to rotate said cam ring within limits, relative to said stator thereby advancing or retarding top dead center of said pistons relative to said common cylinder head. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 38. An internal combustion engine comprising, in combination;

(a) a hollow cylindrical stator including bearing plates located at each end thereof and a common cylinder head located intermediate the ends thereof to thereby define first and second cylindrical chambers therein;

(b) fuel injection means located on said cylinder head;

(c) air inlet means and exhaust means located on said common cylinder head;

(d) first and second rotor means respectively disposed within said first and second cylindrical chambers, said first and second rotor means each comprising means defining a plurality of cylindrical bores having the axes thereof parallel to the axis of said first and second rotor means and disposed annularly around the axis of said first and second rotor means;

(e) means for journalling said first and second rotor means for rotation within the respective cylindrical chambers;

(f) a cam ring for each of said first and second rotor means mounted at each end of said first and second cylindrical chambers;

(g) at least one piston disposed for reciprocal motion in each of said bores of each of said first and second rotor means;

(h) means for operatively connecting said pistons of each of said first and second rotor means to the profile of the respective cam ring such that rotation of said first and second rotor means causes rotation of said means for operatively connecting said pistons of said first and second rotor means to the profile of said respective cam ring to thereby control the reciprocal motion of said pistons within said bores; and

(i) a common combustion chamber formed in said common cylinder head so as to be brought into operative axial alignment with successive ones of the bores in each of said rotors during the rotation of said first and second rotor means, said common combustion chamber extending through said common cylinder head with the axis thereof parallel to the axes of said first and second rotor means to provide direct permanent communication from one side thereof to the other and communicating with opposing bores of said first and second rotor means when brought to axial alignment therewith so as to provide simultaneous, combustion between the pistons of said opposing bores, said common combustion chamber operating as ignition means and being of such angular extent as to at least intermittently overlap two adjacent bores during rotation of said first and second rotor means thereby providing continuous flame propagation, said air inlet means and said exhaust means being sequentially and operatively connected to said

15. opposing bores from said common cylinder head. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 39. The internal combustion engine of claim 38 in which the engagement of said means for operatively connecting said pistons with the profile of said cam rings provides, in 360°

of travel of said rotor, an intake stroke, a compression stroke, an expansion stroke, and an exhaust stroke for each of said pistons. .Iaddend..Iadd. 40. The internal combustion engine of claim 38 in which said profile of said respective cam ring is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 41. The internal combustion engine of claim 39 in which said cam profile is such that the expansion and exhaust strokes of each of said pistons are longer than the intake and compression strokes thereof. .Iaddend..Iadd. 42. The internal combustion engine of claim 38 further comprising means to rotate said cam rings, within limits, relative to said stator thereby advancing or retarding top dead center of said pistons relative to said ignition means. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 43. An internal combustion engine, comprising, in combination;

(a) a hollow cylindrical stator including bearing plates located at each end thereof and a common cylinder head located intermediate the ends thereof to thereby define first and second cylindrical chambers therein;

(b) ignition means located on said common cylinder head fuel and air inlet means and exhaust means located on said common cylinder head;

(c) a first and second cylindrical rotor respectively disposed within said first and second cylindrical chambers, means for journalling said rotors for rotation within said first and second cylindrical chambers;

(d) a cam ring for each of said rotors mounted at each end of said cylindrical chambers;

(e) a plurality of cylindrical bores formed in each of said rotors with axes thereof parallel to the axis of said rotors and disposed annularly around the axis of said rotors;

(f) a piston disposed for reciprocal motion in each of said bores of each of said rotors;

(g) means for operatively connecting said pistons of each rotor to the cam ring profile of each rotor whereby rotation of said rotors causes rotation of said connecting means around said cam ring profile to thereby control the reciprocal motion of said piston within said bore; and

(h) a common combustion chamber formed in said common cylinder head so as to be brought into operative axial alignment with successive bores in each of said rotors during the rotation of said rotors, said common combustion chamber extending axially through said common cylinder head to provide connection from one side to the other and communicating with opposing bores of said rotors when brought to axial alignment therewith so as to provide continuous ignition by flame propagation between the pistons of said opposing bores by an intermittent overlapping thereof said common combustion chamber being operatively connected to said ignition means, said fuel and air inlet means and said exhaust means being sequentially and operatively connected to said opposing bores from said common cylinder

16. head..Iaddend. .Iadd. 44. The internal combustion engine of claim 43 in which said means connecting said pistons to said profile of said cam ring includes connecting rod means connected by one end thereof to said piston, and means for connecting the other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile, said means for connecting said other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile including said cam ring, said cam ring being of U-shaped cross section and including a base portion and a pair of spaced and parallel leg portions extending at right angles from said base portion, annular channels being formed on the inner surfaces of said leg portions, the side walls of said channels comprising bearing surfaces, first roller means being secured upon each side of said other end, and engaging one of said side walls, second roller means rolling in said annular channel and engaging the other end of said side walls whereby said first and second roller means retain said other end of said connecting rod means in rolling engagement within said channels, said channels forming said cam ring profile. .Iaddend..Iadd. 45. The internal combustion engine of claim 43 in which said means connecting said pistons to said profile of said cam ring includes connecting rod means connected by one end thereof to said piston, and means for connecting the other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile, said means for connecting said other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile including said cam ring, said cam ring being of T-shaped cross section and including a web portion and a flange extending at right angles on each side of one edge of said web portion, a bifurcated end being formed on said other end of said connecting rod, first roller means being journalled within said bifurcated end and engaging the outer surface of said flanges, a pair of second roller means being journalled within said bifurcated end of said connecting rod spaced from said first roller means and engaging the inner surface of said flanges, one upon each side of said web portion. .Iaddend. .Iadd. 46. The internal combustion engine of claim 43 which includes means to control the timing of the strokes of said pistons within limits. .Iaddend..Iadd. 47. The internal combustion engine of claim 46 in which said means to control timing includes means to rotate said cam rings, within limits, relative to said stator thereby advancing or retarding top dead center of said pistons relative to said ignition means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 48. An internal combustion engine, comprising, in combination;

(a) a hollow cylindrical stator including bearing plates located at each end thereof and a common cylinder head located intermediate the ends thereof to define first and second cylindrical chambers;

(b) fuel injection means located on said common cylinder head;

(c) air inlet means and exhaust means located on said common cylinder head;

(d) first and second cylindrical rotors respectively disposed within said first and second cylindrical chambers, means for journalling said rotors for rotation within said respective cylindrical chambers;

(e) a cam ring for each said first and second rotors mounted at one end of said cylindrical chambers, a plurality of cylindrical bores formed in each of said first and second rotors with the axes of said bores parallel to the axis of said rotors and disposed annularly around the axis of said rotor;

(f) a piston disposed for reciprocal motion in each of said bores of each of said rotors;

(g) means for operatively connecting said pistons of each rotor to the profile of the respective cam ring whereby rotation of said rotors causes rotation of said connecting means around said cam ring profile to thereby control the reciprocal motion of said piston within said bores; and

(h) a common combustion chamber formed in said common cylinder head so as to be brought into operative axial alignment with successive ones of the bores in each of said rotors during the rotation of said rotors, said common combustion chamber extending axially through said common cylinder head to provide direct, permanent connection from one side to the other and communicating with opposing bores of said rotors when brought to axial alignment therewith so as to provide simultaneous combustion between the pistons of said opposing bores and being operatively connected to said ignition means, said fuel and air inlet means and said exhaust means being sequentially and operatively connected to said opposing bores from said

17. common cylinder head. .Iaddend..Iadd. 49. The internal combustion engine of claim 48 in which said means connecting said pistons to said profile of said cam ring includes connecting rod means connected by one end thereof to said piston, and means for connecting the other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile, said means for connecting said other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile including said cam ring, said cam ring being of U-shaped cross section and including a base portion and a pair of spaced and parallel leg portions extending at right angles from said base portion, annular channels being formed on the inner surfaces of said leg portions, the side walls of said channels comprising bearing surfaces, first roller means being secured upon each side of said other end, and engaging one of said side walls, second roller means rolling in said annular channel and engaging the other of said side walls whereby said first and second roller means retain said other end of said connecting rod means in rolling engagement within said channels, said channels forming said cam ring profile. .Iaddend..Iadd. 50. The internal combustion engine of claim 48 in which said means connecting said pistons to said profile of said cam ring includes connecting rod means connected by one end thereof to said piston, and means for connecting the other end of said connecting rod means to said cam ring profile including said cam ring, said cam ring being of T-shaped cross section and including a web portion and a flange extending at right angles on each side of one edge of said web portion, a bifurcated end being formed on said other end of said connecting rod, first roller means being journalled within said bifurcated end and engaging the outer surface of said flanges, a pair of second roller means being journalled within said bifurcated end of said connecting rod spaced from said first roller means and engaging the inner surface of said flanges, one upon each side of said web portion. .Iaddend..Iadd. 51. The internal combustion engine of claim 48 which includes means to control the timing of the strokes of said pistons within limits. .Iaddend..Iadd. 52. The internal combustion engine of claim 51 in which said means to control the timing includes means to rotate said cam rings, within limits, relative to said stator thereby advancing or retarding top dead center of said pistons relative to said ignition means. .Iaddend..Iadd. 53. The internal combustion engine of claim 48 wherein said cam ring profile is of a configuration to provide an expansion and exhaust stroke of each piston longer than the intake and compression stroke. .Iaddend.